Strawberry Pineapple and Pumpkin Protein shake?!

As you all know, I LOVE to add stuff into my protein shakes that add lots of nutrients, without a lot of calories.  Pumpkin is one of my FAVORITE things to add!  One reason it's great, in addition to all the health benefits it brings, is because it's relatively easy to cover up flavor wise, PLUS it makes the shakes thick and delicious!

The shake I made today is one of my new favorites!

1tbsp Polaner All Fruit Sugar Free w/Fiber - Strawberry Preserves

1/4 cup Pineapple chunks

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk (I use So Delicious)

1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I use Body Fortress)

1/4 cup canned 100% pumpkin (I use Libby's)

6-7 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in a blender - and DIG IN!

And you're welcome! ;)  So delicious!  Here's the stats!

204 Calories

4g Fat

16g Carbs

6g Fiber

27g Protein

75mg Sodium

*Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats*

Ok another overnight oats idea.... Everyone here should already know I have a slight obsession with Pumpkin.  Love it.  Can't get enough.  Added bonus - it's low in calories, and high in Fiber - and full of nutrients!

I am not a fan of cereal or Oatmeal for breakfast -- too many carbs & not enough protein.  But with oatmeal, you can add protein powder - and BOOM!  Protein Packed Oatmeal!  Which makes it the perfect breakfast!!

1/4 cup quick oats

1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder

1/8 cup canned pumpkin

1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk (I use So Delicious - from the box, not the refrigerated section - 45 cal/cup,, 15mg sodium)

1/4 cup plain greek yogurt (I used Oikos)

1/2 tbsp flax seed

1/2 tbsp chia seeds

packet truvia (or sweetener of choice)

Cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in bowl/jar.  Mix well.  Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning - grab a spoon and dig in!

244 Calories

7g Fat

26g Carbs

7g Fiber

24g Protein

58mg Sodium



No Bake Meal Replacement Bars

I keep looking for ways to keep more on the go foods in the house for my boyfriend to take to with him to work - it's the only way he'll take anything to eat.  It has to be easy.  But I don't like buying most packaged stuff (outside of yogurt and such) because there's so much crap in it..... These are super easy protein bars that are healthy, so tasty, and take hardly any time to make.  I found the recipe on proteinpowderrecipes.com and tweaked it just a bit, but it turned out so good!

3 cups quick oats

1 cup unsweetened coconut milk

8 tbsp Smuckers Natural Creamy Peanut Butter

4 scoops Chocolate Whey Protein Powder (I used Body Fortress)

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl.  Because Natural peanut butter tends to be a bit dry, this is hard to mix well just with a spoon or fork - I ended up using my hands to mesh all the ingredients together well.  Spray 8x8 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.  Spread 'batter' evenly in pan -- a spoon does help with this part.  Optional: sprinkle a few packets of splenda evenly over the top.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.  Cut in the morning.   I wrapped each bar in saran wrap and stuck them in the door of the fridge.  Makes the perfect grab and go snack or meal!! This would be a perfect breakfast - OR pre/post workout snack!!

Makes 8 servings

288 Calories

12g Fat

27g Carbs

5g Fiber

20g Protein

104mg Sodium